Recycling meat waste may help bring cultivated meat to market
Researchers found microalgae can be grown using waste from cultivated meat production, then processed and fed back into the system, replacing some of the expensive ingredients needed to grow new meat cells.
Researchers have discovered that microalgae can be cultivated using waste from cultivated meat production, which can then be processed and reintroduced into the system to replace some of the costly ingredients required to grow new meat cells, according to a study published in Food Research International. Dr. Melanie Oey from the University of Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience explained that cutting costs is crucial for making cultivated meat commercially feasible.
The researchers estimate that the cost of growth media could be reduced by 60-90% using this method. Microalgae can absorb leftover nutrients from cultivated meat waste while supplying oxygen to the meat cells. The harvested nutrients can be returned to the system, establishing a circular bioeconomy and significantly reducing the need for expensive growth factors and amino acids.
The excess microalgae produced could create additional commercial opportunities for cultivated meat producers. This research, conducted in collaboration with cultivated meat producer Magic Valley, could be transformative for the industry by reducing media costs, one of the biggest barriers to large-scale production.
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